November sticks to the norm

Gray, windy and overall cool — November was a relatively typical month for weather in the Red Wing area, though a few highlights stand out.

The high temperature for the month was a balmy 71 degrees on Nov. 10. That same day last year came in at a cooler 39 degrees, though November 2011’s highest temperature was reached around the same time — 61 degrees on Nov. 12. But this year’s warmth quickly faded as the high temperatures dropped to 44 degrees on the 11th and 27 degrees by the 12th.

Locals also experienced an unseasonably warm Thanksgiving with a high of 62. But cold winds — gusting to up to 40 mph — ushered in a cold front as shoppers waiting in Black Friday lines endured a high temperature of only 28 degrees by the next day. The month’s lowest temperature of 12 degrees was reached just two days later on Nov. 24.

Despite the highs, lows and drastic swings, the average temperature of about 45.8 degrees was only one degree lower than last year’s high average of 46.8 degrees.

Still, November was warmer than usual overall. Across Minnesota, there was a streak of 16 months with above-average temperatures broken in October. But November brought that warmth back when it came in at three degrees above average overall. In fact, according to the National Weather Service, every November day was at least one degree above average in Minnesota.

Locally, the average low of about 27.7 degrees in 2012 was less than a degree different than 2011’s average low of 28.4 degrees.

The month did remain much drier than normal, continuing near-draught conditions in the area. Throughout the whole month of November, Red Wing only saw four days of rain and just traces of snow.

There were about 0.63 inches of rain that fell in Red Wing, less than half what is normally seen, according to the NWS. This is the fourth month in a row of below-average precipitation in the Twin Cities metro area.

Farmer’s Almanac predicts a cooler-than-average December, but with less snow falling than typical.

November by the numbers

High: 71 degrees on Nov. 10

Low: 12 degrees on Nov. 24

Average daily high: 45.76 degrees

Average daily low: 27.69 degrees

Precipitation: .63 inches of rain; traces of snow

Source: U.S. Lock & Dam No. 3, Red Wing Waste Water Treatment Plant

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